HDB Contractor Verification Checklist
Protect yourself from renovation scams. Complete verification guide to find trusted, licensed contractors for your HDB project.
How do I check an HDB renovation contractor before I pay?
Confirm the company is in HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC), because HDB flat owners must use a registered contractor for renovation works (Renovation Control Rules). Then check whether it is CaseTrust-accredited, which caps the initial deposit at 20% and adds deposit protection (CaseTrust), and make sure electrical and plumbing work is done by an EMA Licensed Electrical Worker and a PUB Licensed Plumber.
By the ContractorSG editorial team · Last reviewed: · ContractorSG editorial team · Sources
What is the difference between HDB DRC, CaseTrust, BCA and trade licences?
| Check | What it tells you | Required for HDB renovation? | Where to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDB Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC) | Company is registered by HDB to carry out renovation works in HDB flats | Yes — required by the Renovation Control Rules | DRC dataset, SSO |
| CaseTrust accreditation | Voluntary scheme: deposit capped at 20%, deposit performance bond, standard contract, 12-month workmanship warranty, CASE mediation | No (recommended) | CaseTrust |
| BCA Directory | BCA-registered contractors and licensed builders | Not for typical interior works; relevant to window contractors and building works | BCA |
| EMA Licensed Electrical Worker | The individual is licensed to do electrical work | Yes, for electrical works | EMA ELISE |
| PUB Licensed Plumber | The plumber is licensed for regulated water-service and sanitary plumbing works | Yes, for regulated plumbing works | PUB |
How common are renovation complaints? (CASE 2025 data)
Complaints against renovation contractors received by CASE in 2025
Change from 962 complaints in 2024
Renovation prepayment losses reported in 2025 (down from $728,814 in 2024)
Source: CASE media release, 9 Feb 2026. CASE attributes the fall to more homeowners choosing CaseTrust-accredited contractors. In 2024, about 97% of renovation complaints were against non-accredited contractors (CNA).
⚠️ Follow this checklist before you sign a contract or pay a deposit.
Step 1: What should I check before hiring?
License & Registration Verification
CRITICALMust-Have Certifications:
Verification Steps:
- 1. Ask for the HDB DRC registration number (format like HB-01-0014E)
- 2. Look it up in HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors (data.gov.sg)
- 3. Check ACRA for company status
- 4. Check CASE's list of CaseTrust-accredited businesses
- 5. Ask for proof of insurance and confirm the dates
Pro Tip: Legitimate contractors will readily provide all licensing information. Any hesitation or refusal to show certifications is a major red flag.
Experience & Reputation Verification
IMPORTANTHDB Project Experience:
- Minimum 3 years HDB renovation experience
- Ask for portfolio of recent HDB projects
- Experience with your HDB flat type (BTO, resale)
- Knowledge of HDB renovation regulations
- Familiarity with your estate/area
Reference Checks:
- 1. Request 3 recent customer references
- 2. Contact references to verify work quality
- 3. Ask about timeline adherence
- 4. Inquire about post-completion service
- 5. Check online reviews and ratings
Green Flag: Contractors with 5+ years HDB experience and willing to provide references are typically more reliable and knowledgeable about HDB-specific requirements.
Financial & Business Verification
PROTECT YOUR MONEYBusiness Stability Checks:
- Company incorporated for at least 2 years
- Physical office address (not just mobile number)
- Professional website with project portfolio
- Clear GST registration (if applicable)
- Professional invoicing and documentation
Payment Red Flags:
- Demands >20% upfront payment
- Cash-only payments, no receipts
- Quotes significantly below market rate
- Pressure to sign contract immediately
- No written quotation or contract
Warning: Large upfront payments put your money at risk if a contractor closes. CaseTrust caps initial deposits at 20% of the total cost; treat anything higher as a red flag.
Step 2: What should the contract include?
Must-Have Contract Terms
- Detailed scope of work with specific materials and finishes
- Clear timeline with start and completion dates
- Payment schedule tied to project milestones
- Warranty terms for workmanship and materials
- Penalty clauses for delays or non-compliance
- License numbers of all specialized workers
- Cleanup and disposal responsibilities
Example Payment Structure
An illustration, not a rule — agree the milestones in your contract. The 20% deposit ceiling follows the CaseTrust standard.
Initial deposit (CaseTrust cap: 20% of total cost)
When materials arrive and work begins
Midpoint progress verification
Near completion, minor touch-ups remaining
After handover and agreed defects are fixed (CaseTrust contracts include a 12-month workmanship warranty)
HDB-Specific Contract Requirements
Regulatory Compliance:
- • Contractor listed in HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors
- • HDB renovation permit where required
- • HDB's permitted renovation hours
- • Proper waste disposal arrangements
Licensed Work Specification:
- • Licensed Electrical Worker for electrical work
- • PUB Licensed Plumber for regulated plumbing work
- • Professional Engineer where HDB requires one
Step 3: What are the red flags of a renovation scam?
Immediate Red Flags - Walk Away
- Door-to-door solicitation: "We're working in your area..."
- Pressure tactics: "Special price only valid today"
- No physical address: Only mobile phone contact
- Cannot show licenses: "Certificate is at office"
- Demands cash payment: No invoice or receipt
- Too good to be true pricing: far below other quotes for the same scope
Warning Signs - Investigate Further
- Vague quotations: Lacks detailed breakdown
- Recent company incorporation: Less than 1 year old
- No references available: "First major HDB project"
- Unlicensed subcontractors: Cannot verify workers
- Poor communication: Takes days to respond
- No warranty offered: "All sales final"
Common Scam Tactics
Material Substitution:
Promising premium materials but installing basic/substandard alternatives without notification.
Phantom Upgrades:
Charging for premium features that are actually standard specifications.
Vanishing Act:
Taking large upfront payments then disappearing or declaring bankruptcy.
Where can I verify a contractor officially?
HDB Directory of Renovation Contractors
Required for HDB flats
Official DRC list
Published by HDB on data.gov.sg
Check DRC →ACRA Registry
Company registration lookup
Business Profile Service
Verify company incorporation
Check ACRA →CaseTrust
Accredited renovation businesses
Deposit protection
20% deposit cap and standard contract
Check CaseTrust →Quick Verification Checklist:
Before Meeting:
- □ Check ACRA company registration
- □ Look up the HDB DRC registration
- □ Check whether it is CaseTrust-accredited
- □ Google company name for reviews
During Meeting:
- □ Request physical certificates
- □ Ask for recent customer references
- □ Verify insurance policy details
- □ Get detailed written quotation
What can I do if a contractor takes my money?
Immediate Actions
- 1Stop all payments immediately, cancel any scheduled transfers
- 2Document everything - contracts, receipts, photos, communications
- 3Contact bank/credit card company to reverse charges if possible
- 4File police report for fraudulent activity
- 5Report to CASE and relevant authorities
Recovery Options
- CASE: lodge a complaint; CASE can negotiate or mediate with the business. CaseTrust-accredited businesses must attend mediation if you request it; claimant fees start at $16.35 (members) / $38.15 (non-members) for claims below $5,000 (CASE)
- Small Claims Tribunals: hear claims up to $20,000, or $30,000 if both parties sign a Memorandum of Consent; filing costs $10–$20 for individuals with claims up to $10,000 (1% above that) (Singapore Courts)
- Civil Court: For larger claims with legal representation
- Insurance Claims: If you have renovation coverage
- Credit Card Chargeback: Dispute charges with card issuer
Prevention is Better Than Cure
Recovering money from a contractor that has closed is difficult. In 2025, consumers reported $190,667 in renovation prepayment losses to CASE. Checking the contractor and keeping deposits small before you sign is the best protection.
Find Contractors Listed on ContractorSG
Browse renovation contractors listed on ContractorSG, then run this checklist on each one before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify if a contractor is HDB-approved?
Check that the contractor is listed in HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors (DRC). The Housing & Development (Renovation Control) Rules (in force since 2006) require flat owners to engage only DRC contractors for renovation works in HDB flats. Also check the company on ACRA, whether it is CaseTrust-accredited, and that electrical and plumbing work will be done by an EMA Licensed Electrical Worker and a PUB Licensed Plumber.
Source: Singapore Statutes Online (AGC) — Housing and Development (Renovation Control) Rules, rules 3–4
What are the red flags when hiring renovation contractors?
Avoid contractors who: demand full payment upfront, quote significantly below market rates, cannot provide proper licensing, refuse to give written contracts, or pressure you to sign immediately. CASE received 787 complaints against renovation contractors in 2025, down from 962 in 2024.
What should I include in a renovation contract?
Include detailed scope of work, materials specifications, timeline, payment schedule tied to milestones, warranty terms, variation (change) procedure, the contractor's HDB DRC registration number, and who will do electrical (Licensed Electrical Worker) and plumbing (PUB Licensed Plumber) work. CaseTrust's standard renovation contract is a useful reference.
How much should I pay upfront for HDB renovation?
Keep the deposit small. CaseTrust-accredited renovation businesses must cap the initial deposit at 20% of the total cost and collect the rest in phases at agreed milestones, and they must protect deposits with a performance bond. Treat a demand for more than 20% upfront as a red flag, and hold back a final payment until defects are fixed.
Source: CASE / CaseTrust — CaseTrust Accreditation for Renovation Businesses
Sources
Rules and figures in this guide are checked against these sources. Prices marked as estimates are ContractorSG editorial estimates, not official figures — always get written quotes.
- Important Information on Renovations — Housing & Development Board (HDB)Engage only DRC contractors. General works 9am–6pm Mon–Sat; noisy works (hacking, removing finishes, tile cutting, heavy drilling) 9am–5pm Mon–Fri only, not on public holidays or the eves of New Year’s Day, CNY, Deepavali, Hari Raya Puasa and Christmas. Works must finish within 3 months (new blocks) or 1 month (existing blocks) of the permit; window-only works within 2 weeks. Disallowed: overloading the floor slab beyond 150kg per m². Owner and contractor must do a water test after replacing bathroom floor finishes.Checked 13 Oct 2026
- Directory of Renovation Contractors (dataset) — HDB via data.gov.sgOfficial list of HDB-registered renovation contractors with registration numbers (format e.g. HB-01-0014E) and status.Checked 13 Oct 2026
- Media release: complaints received by CASE in 2025 (9 Feb 2026) — Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE)787 complaints against renovation contractors in 2025 (962 in 2024, down 18.2%); renovation prepayment losses of $190,667 in 2025; 268 CaseTrust-accredited renovation businesses as of Jan 2026.Checked 13 Oct 2026
- CaseTrust Accreditation for Renovation Businesses — CASE / CaseTrustAccredited renovation businesses: initial deposit capped at 20% of total cost, deposit performance bond, standard contract, 12-month workmanship warranty.Checked 13 Oct 2026
- Down payment losses jump over four-fold to S$1.9 million in 2024 (6 Feb 2025) — CNAOf 962 renovation-contractor complaints in 2024, about 97% were against non-CaseTrust-accredited contractors.Checked 13 Oct 2026
- Engaging Licensed Electrical Workers — Energy Market Authority (EMA)LEW needed for wiring, adding/replacing power points, switches and lighting points, and repairing/replacing circuit breakers; verify licences on the ELISE portal or the LEW’s licence card.Checked 13 Oct 2026
- Plumbing Works — Licensed Plumbers — PUB, Singapore’s National Water AgencyRegulated water-service and sanitary plumbing works must be done by PUB Licensed Plumbers (simple works can be done by handymen); it is an offence to engage an unlicensed plumber for regulated works.Checked 13 Oct 2026
- Small claims — Singapore Courts (Judiciary)The Small Claims Tribunals hear claims up to $20,000 (or $30,000 if both parties sign a Memorandum of Consent), including disputes over goods and services such as renovation contracts.Checked 13 Oct 2026
- How to file and serve a small claim — Singapore Courts (Judiciary)Claim limit $20,000, or $30,000 with a Memorandum of Consent signed by both parties; file within 2 years. Individual filing fee: $10 (up to $5,000), $20 ($5,000–$10,000), 1% of the claim (above $10,000). No fees for consultations or hearings; most cases conclude within 4 months.Checked 13 Oct 2026
- Mediation — Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE)Mediation is voluntary and by invitation; CaseTrust-accredited businesses must attend if the consumer requests it. Claimant fees (incl. GST) for claims below $5,000: $16.35 (member) / $38.15 (non-member), rising with claim size. CASE reports a resolution rate of about 70%.Checked 13 Oct 2026
- Housing and Development (Renovation Control) Rules, rules 3–4 — Singapore Statutes Online (AGC)Owners must use an HDB-registered contractor, get a permit where required and follow HDB guidelines; contravention is an offence with a fine of up to $5,000. HDB can order removal/reinstatement of unauthorised works and recover its costs.Checked 13 Oct 2026
- BCA Directory (registered contractors and licensed builders) — Building and Construction Authority (BCA)Checked 13 Oct 2026